By Jack Latham
A radio package with analysis from MMA Reporter Jamie Theodosi.
A new welterweight champion was crowned as Jack Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhamad via unanimous decision in Quebec, Canada.
Background
This victory makes him the second Australian champion currently in the UFC, with Alexander Volkanovski holding the featherweight championship.
Maddalena came into the fight as a replacement for Shavkat Rakhmonov, who suffered a torn MCL prior to his title shot, and was therefore a heavy underdog, although he didn’t let this affect him.
MMA journalist Kyle Dimond, who works with Bloody Elbow and has previously worked for Fighters Only, MMA News and Sportskeeda, believes Della Maddalena was right to be given his underdog status but that his doubters were proved wrong:
“I definitely think it was hard not to underestimate him even slightly…. He hadn’t fought in over a year, and his last win was a come-from-behind victory.
“This was his best performance for sure.”
The challenger came into the fight with a one-inch reach advantage, whereas both fighters stood at five feet eleven inches tall. This was Muhammad’s 18th fight in the UFC, but his first title defence after beating Leon Edwards in July 2024.
The Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester, where Belal Muhammad won the welterweight title against Leon Edwards in a long-awaited rematch. (Photo credits: Jack Latham)
As for Maddalena, this would be his seventh fight in the UFC, with an impressive unbeaten record including four wins coming via TKO.
Round One
The fight started as many expected, with both fighters attempting to find their range and avoid being caught early on. Maddalena was searching for a big right hand, whilst Muhammad was working behind his jab.
The first big shot was landed just one minute and 30 seconds into the fight, with Muhammad launching a swift combination and connecting with a big right hand.
Maddalena responded with a head kick and some vicious overhands of his own.
Dimond believes Maddalena surprised the champion with his forward approach.
“He was surprised by how effective JDM was at implementing his game plan…. He never slowed down.”
“I think Belal was confident that he could outstrike JDM, and that his boxing capabilities could lead him to victory…. I don’t think he expected JDM’s jab and crossover punches to be so effective.”
As expected, Muhammad shot for his first takedown but was thwarted by some great takedown defence, although the champion connected with a right hand as they left the exchange.
The first round ended with both men trading shots next to the cage wall, and Maddalena connected with an elbow in the clinch.
Round Two
Maddalena could sense he was finding a home for his right hand and went on the offensive at the start of the second round, landing yet another strike to the face of the champion.
Noticing that his stand-up game wasn’t proving effective, Muhammad tried to switch things up and attempted successive takedowns, although Maddalena used level changes effectively to prevent the fight from going to the ground.
A cut had now appeared near the lip of the champion, who was now being hunted down by Maddalena. The challenger started to target the body near the end of the second round but was countered with a big overhand.
Round Three
Entering the third round, many would have been expecting Muhammad to have attempted more takedowns and to have fought less on the feet.
Dimond wanted to see a bit more of the Muhammad from previous fights:
“I was and I wasn’t surprised by Belal’s approach to the fight.
“I was surprised that Belal wasn’t more aggressive like he was against Leon Edwards, who couldn’t cope with his relentless pressure.
“However, I think a lot of that is down to Jack Della Maddalena…. He didn’t let Belal do what he wanted.”
Maddalena came out of the blocks quickly in the third round, landing a body shot before knocking the champion back towards the cage with yet another right overhand.
His jab was becoming more lethal as the fight went on, with clean boxing combinations allowing him to find a home for it with every attempt.
Not going down without a fight, Muhammad responded well as the round went on, pushing forward with elbows and jabs.
This pressure cost him with 30 seconds left in the round, though, as Maddalena landed two vicious jabs flush, which stunned the champion.
Despite many people’s predictions, Maddalena was arguably at least two rounds ahead as the fight entered the championship rounds.
Dimond explores the steps that guided Della Maddalena to victory:
“He never let Belal dictate what he did…. Through staying on his toes and constantly offering some form of deterrent, Belal couldn’t walk him down and get him against the fence.
“His takedown defence when he did need it was excellent too, which probably caught Belal a little off guard.”
Round Four
Knowing now he had to win the last two rounds to have any hope of defending his title, Muhammad came out firing, immediately looking to break through the resolute defence of Maddalena.
The champion’s boxing ability started to come to fruition as he slipped a jab before connecting with a one-two combination.
Muhammad’s fast start was soon countered, however, with both men exchanging big shots in the centre of the octagon; Della Maddalena landing the cleaner of these shots.
The fight then descended into chaos, with both men swinging wildly in an attempt to land a telling punch. Muhammad connected with a duo of uppercuts but missed with an attempted spinning backfist, whilst Della Maddalena landed more right hands.
Muhammad finally managed to take the back of his opponent as the fight cooled down, but the challenger quickly returned to his feet with some slick grappling.
Round Five
As the final round began, the fate of the welterweight division still lay in the balance.
Dimond explains what this victory for Della Maddalena does to both his and Muhammad’s future ambitions:
“For JDM, we already know that Islam Makhachev is next, which is a great fight.
“As for Belal, it’s very hard to say…. It took him a long time to get a title shot because he’s not overly popular or entertaining.
“If Belal is going to get back in the mix, he’ll have to put another run together, and I don’t see that happening at his age.
Yet again, Maddalena showcased his sharpness with two huge jabs that were followed closely by a flying knee.
Knowing he was getting dominated on the feet, Muhammad finally secured a takedown and had Maddalena exactly where he thrives.
Or at least that’s what he expected, as Della Maddalena showed terrific resilience to push him off and bring the fight back to stand-up encounter that had occurred prior.
The bout was now coming to a close, and Della Maddalena still hunted down his opponent, rocking him with a huge elbow that was followed by a succession of punch combinations.
The challenger continued to rain down strikes as the final bell went to bring an end to an extraordinary fight.
Two judges scored the contest 48-47 in favour of Maddalena, whilst one judge scored 49-46 in favour of the challenger, meaning a new welterweight champion was crowned.
A terrific display of striking by the Australian, who landed an impressive 178 significant strikes, topping his previous record of 105.
Jack Della Maddalena with the welterweight title around his waist; something that all UFC fighters dream of when entering the promotion. (Photo credits: Yahoo Sports)
Future Fights
With the welterweight division getting more competitive, there won’t be a shortage of competitors coming for his crown, and Dimond could see a title change in the near future:
“It’s such a difficult division to predict.
“I actually think JDM stands a pretty good chance against Islam Makhachev.
“If not that fight, you’re probably looking at Shavkat Rakhmonov or Sean Brady next for the champion, and those are really tough fights.
“I think JDM is fantastic, but right now, I’d say he has probably lost the belt by this time next year.”
So, a new king is crowned in UFC’s welterweight division, and he’ll be hoping he isn’t dethroned anytime soon.
A short video clip by Jack Latham showcasing Belal Muhammad winning the welterweight title at UFC 304 in Manchester.
A Piece to Camera detailing Della Maddalena’s victory at UFC 317.
An audio clip from MMA Reporter James Sweetnam, who works with the Daily Star and writes for Bloody Elbow, revealing his thoughts on the main event.
